Avantium N.V., a technology company in sustainable chemistry, is collaborating with Albert Heijn to make packaging more sustainable. To this end, Avantium's 100% plant-based and circular material PEF (polyethylene furanoate) is being used for various forms of packaging. Refresco, the global independent beverage solutions provider for Global, National and Emerging (GNE) brands, and retailers, produces Albert Heijn’s new fruit juice bottle made out of PEF. This will be the first PEF application to be introduced in Albert Heijn stores, once Avantium's commercial plant for PEF is operational. Albert Heijn is the first supermarket chain in the world to introduce PEF packaging for own-brand products.
Avantium's PEF is a 100% plant-based and fully recyclable polymer with a wide range of applications including bottles and packaging, films and textiles. In addition to its sustainable packaging benefits, Avantium's PEF has superior barrier properties, extending the shelf life of beverages and food. Avantium is currently constructing the world's first commercial plant in Delfzijl for 5 kilotons of FDCA (furandicarboxylic acid), the key building block for PEF, with commercial production expected to start in the second half of 2024. Thereafter, PEF production will be further scaled up to plants of 100 kilotons and more for large-scale production of FDCA and PEF through technology licensing.
Tom van Aken, CEO of Avantium, is pleased with the partnership with Albert Heijn: "We are proud that Albert Heijn is the first supermarket chain to start using PEF for packaging. With Albert Heijn as a partner, Avantium can further scale up and expand the PEF value chain to meet the growing global demand for circular and renewable material solutions. This is what the materials transition is about: ensuring that consumers can access sustainable and innovative products on a commercial scale."
Marit van Egmond, CEO of Albert Heijn, adds: "From the mission 'Together we make eating better the easy choice. For everyone.', Albert Heijn wants to pass on a liveable earth to future generations. To make that possible, one of our goals is to make packaging more sustainable. Besides packaging reduction, recyclability and reuse, fossil-free materials are high on our wish list. With the use of PEF, we are giving substance to this."
Alexander van Assouw, Managing Director Refresco Benelux: “As a beverage solutions provider, we are continuously looking for innovative ways to produce soft drinks, fruit juices and other drinks. Reducing, recycling and making packaging more sustainable is an important element of our strategy. With PEF we are able to offer an alternative sustainable packaging solution to our customers. We are therefore pleased that Refresco, Avantium and Albert Heijn are now working together to bring this new fruit juice bottle to market.”